Dame Mary Quant was a British fashion designer who pioneered 1960s styles including the miniskirt and hotpants.
- Died: April 13, 2023 (Who else died on April 13?)
- Details of death: Died at her home in Surrey, England at the age of 93.
- We invite you to share condolences for Mary Quant in our Guest Book.
Mary Quant’s legacy
Mary Quant and her future husband, Alexander Plunkett Greene, opened their first fashion boutique, Bazaar, in London in 1955. She initially filled it with fashion-forward clothing by other designers, catering to stylish young people like herself. As Bazaar exploded in popularity, Quant began creating her own styles for the boutique, sewing mod styles in her apartment. Young women clamored for her designs, requesting ever-shorter skirts. Some credit Quant with inventing the miniskirt; other designers are cited as having helped pioneer the ultra-short style, but Quant certainly popularized it and made the miniskirt a defining symbol of the Swinging Sixties.
Later in the decade, Quant introduced the short shorts that would become known as hotpants at her boutique. Again, she is credited by some as originating the style, but it’s unclear if she was the first to offer it. Quant’s other signature styles included colorful, patterned tights to be worn with miniskirts, as well as berets. Her highly recognizable logo featured a daisy.
Quant won the first Dress of the Year award, presented by the Fashion Museum in Bath, England, in 1963. Already a British icon as a young woman, she was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1966. She received her title of Dame in 2015, appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
Notable quote
“[H]aven’t I been a lucky woman? I’ve had the most marvellous time, so much fun. And, yes, I suppose I do feel rather proud.” —from a 2012 interview for the Scotsman
Tributes to Mary Quant
Full obituary: The New York Times
